Cathy O'Toole (Herbert, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise in this place to support this motion regarding the murder of Jo Cox MP. I am speaking about a woman I have never met but whose work and message has touched the lives of so many who live across the pond, as it is colloquially referred to. Jo Cox was born on 22 June 1974 and she died on 16 June 2016, just six days before her 42nd birthday. She was elected to the British parliament in 2015 to represent the good people of Batley and Spen. She had been attending a constituency meeting, doing her job—a job that she truly loved. This senseless, targeted action sent shock waves through the British parliament and the country. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, said the death of Jo Cox was a tragedy. He said:

She was a committed and caring MP. My thoughts are with her husband Brendan and her two young children.

The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said the country would be in shock at the horrific murder of the MP who was a much loved colleague.

Jo Cox was a rising leader in the UK Labour Party. Like myself, she was elected to represent the area where she was born and raised. Jo was a strong advocate for equality, passionate about her electorate, a loud voice for refugees and a supporter of Britain staying in the EU. Before her parliamentary life, Jo worked at the Freedom Fund, an antislavery organisation at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as for Oxfam and the British aid agency; and in various senior capacities in the UK, US and Brussels. Her work brought her into contact with some of the most downtrodden and vulnerable people in the world. She met women who had been raped in Darfur. She encountered child soldiers in Uganda and met Afghan civilians, desperate for help from the global community. Jo connected with these desperate people and went on to be a strong voice to bring their issues to the attention of those who could make a difference.

Jo's passion and drive for equality and social justice naturally carried over to her parliamentary work, and in her maiden speech she spoke about people coming together, saying:

… what surprises me time and time again as I travel around the constituency is that we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than the things that divide us.

Given Jo's aforementioned observation, I remain constantly curious as to how and why we live in such a right-wing, conservative world, where the norm appears to be an obsession with promoting and nurturing fear of fear itself based on difference, regardless of whether it is perceived or actual. I live in a proud, multicultural community, and for that I am truly grateful.

It is clear from Jo's transcripts in the parliament and in interviews that she had a spirit like no other and a conviction to speak out. She revelled in being a nonconformist and when asked by a reporter what she does to relax, she answered, 'I climb mountains'—because, of course, that is what she would do. Jo always spoke with great understanding and never disregarded those who held opinions that differed from her own. In fact, Jo said:

It is a joy to represent such a diverse community.

With regard to Brexit and the hostility towards immigration, Jo cited it was a 'legitimate concern' that did not make someone 'a racist xenophobic'; for Jo, however, it was just purely about the facts and providing real solutions outside of Brexit, as she outlined in one of her speeches:

Over half of all migrants to Britain come from outside the EU and the result of this referendum will do nothing to bring these numbers down.

No-one, including politicians, should fear going to work or doing the activities associated with their job, and that is just what Jo was doing on the day her life was tragically cut short. She was just doing her job, serving the people of Batley and Spen. Jo's death was nothing short of a dreadful tragedy, an unspeakable act, and I will not mention the name of her convicted killer in this place because he does not deserve his name even being muttered. What is most important is that Jo's message of a better future for all lives on. What we need to remember is not how she died but rather how she lived her life. What some would hope would further divide us, we must take every possible step to ensure that we find unity in this tragedy, as Jo Cox deserved no less. When some would want fear and hatred to foster and grow, we must show love and compassion. When we are attempted to create fences that segregate or use symbols that only serve to promote fear and division, we must resist and break down the barriers with open and welcoming, courageous arms. Jo's husband Brendan said after her death:

Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love.

I and Jo's friends and family are going to work every moment of our lives to love and nurture our kids and to fight against the hate that killed Jo.

Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it everyday of her life with an energy, and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.

She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her.

Hate doesn't have a creed, race or religion, it is poisonous.

I am sure that Jo's family, whilst terribly sad are also incredibly proud of the person she was and the work that she did for her community and for humanity, never faltering from her beliefs and values. Most deepest and most sincere sympathies go to Jo's family and friends, especially her husband Brendan and their children.

Whilst I might be across the pond, I hope her family hears my message—that her message and fight will not be lost, and they will be continued in this place. There is no room in our world for divisive politics that aims to nurture hate, fear and discrimination. It could be said that it would do politicians good to hear the following words: 'Speak boldly and with intellect. Never hush your voice for someone's comfort. Speak your mind, make people uncomfortable, for it is in our discomfort that we grow.' It is often argued that our thoughts become our reality, and this is why the politics of fear and hate is so dangerous and seriously flawed.

Jo Cox's life and her work as a politician were not about the politics of popularity. They were about leadership that welcomed and valued difference and diversity and that created a better life for the people that she served. I commend this motion to the House.

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